Public appointments
What is a public appointment and how to apply for one.
What is a public appointment
A public appointment is an appointment to the board of a public body or to a public office. Public appointees are office-holders rather than Civil Service employees unless the terms of a particular office expressly provide otherwise.
Public appointments can include chairs, non-executive members, advisory-body members and individual office-holders. The vacancy notice explains the status and responsibilities of the particular role.
Who can apply
Each vacancy sets out its own eligibility requirements. Do not assume that the requirements for one public appointment apply to another.
Applicants should read the whole vacancy notice before applying and provide the information requested by the appointing authority.
Where a conflict of interest, existing office, outside interest or other matter could affect the proper discharge of the role, applicants should declare it through the application process. A declared interest does not by itself determine the outcome; the appointing authority considers whether it can be managed consistently with the responsibilities of the office.
How appointments are made
Public appointments must use the process applicable to the office concerned. Appointments within the regulated public-appointments system are made on merit through fair and open processes, with independent assurance where the governing arrangements require it.
Ministers remain responsible for appointment decisions where the governing arrangements assign the decision to them. The Commissioner for Public Appointments provides independent regulation and assurance for appointments within the Commissioner’s remit.
No person holds a public appointment merely because they have a platform role, title or claimed experience. Appointment must be traceable to the competent authority and recorded.
Types of role
The most common public appointments include:
- chairs, who provide leadership to a board or public body
- non-executive or board members, who contribute independent scrutiny, challenge and advice
- members of advisory bodies, who bring relevant experience or specialist knowledge
- individual office-holders carrying out a defined public function
The vacancy notice states the functions, accountability arrangements and any particular experience or skills required.
Time commitment, term and expenses
The time commitment, length of appointment, remuneration and expenses arrangements vary by role. These details are set out in the vacancy notice or the appointment terms.
Applicants should consider whether they can meet the stated commitment before applying.
Standards and conduct
Public appointees are expected to meet the standards applying to their office and to act with integrity, objectivity, accountability and openness.
A vacancy may require applicants to declare interests or other information relevant to appointment. The appointing authority may carry out proportionate checks where the governing arrangements require them.
How to apply
View and apply for public appointments
Each open vacancy explains:
- the public body or office
- the responsibilities of the role
- the essential and, where used, desirable criteria
- the appointment terms
- the selection process
- the closing date
- how to request a reasonable adjustment
- how to submit an application
Applications must be submitted through the route shown in the vacancy.
After you apply
The appointing authority assesses applications against the published requirements. A process may include a sift, interview or another published assessment stage.
Where an advisory assessment panel is used, the panel assesses candidates against the criteria and provides its conclusions to the person or authority responsible for the appointment. Where a minister is the appointing authority, the minister makes the appointment decision in accordance with the applicable arrangements.
The successful candidate is not in office until the competent authority completes the appointment and the appointment is properly recorded.
Reasonable adjustments and accessibility
Applicants can request reasonable adjustments for an application, interview or other assessment stage. Use the contact route stated in the vacancy so the appointing authority can consider what adjustment is required.
Complaints about a public appointment process
If a vacancy or appointment process provides a specific complaints route, use that route first.
Where the Commissioner for Public Appointments has jurisdiction, information about the Commissioner’s role and complaints arrangements is available from the Commissioner for Public Appointments.
A complaint about Cabinet Office administration that is not covered by a more specific appointment route can use the Cabinet Office complaints procedure.
Further information
Apply for a public appointment